A Job Card is a document issued under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in the state of Odisha. It is proof of entitlement to employment under the MGNREGA. The Job Card contains information about the holder, including their name, address, and social category. It also contains information about the works that the holder is eligible to perform under the MGNREGA.
To obtain a Job Card, a person must be a resident of Odisha and must be at least 18 years of age. They must also be a member of a household that is registered under the MGNREGA. To register a household, the head of the household must submit an application to the Gram Panchayat.
Introduction

In Odisha, the “Job Card” is a vital document under the MGNREGA program, designed to help rural households find work. Here’s a simple introduction:
1. Purpose: The Job Card ensures that rural folks can access job opportunities under MGNREGA, a government employment scheme.
2. Who Can Apply: Any rural household can apply. Every adult member who wants to work can get their own Job Card.
3. How to Get It: To get a Job Card in Odisha, go to your local Gram Panchayat office and provide basic information about your household.
4. What’s on the Card: The Job Card lists the names and photos of adult household members, their unique job card numbers, and their signatures or thumbprints. It’s used as an ID for work under MGNREGA.
5. What It Guarantees: Once you have a Job Card, you’re entitled to at least 100 days of paid work within the Gram Panchayat in a year, provided there’s a demand for labor.
6. Work Allocation: The Gram Panchayat assigns jobs to Job Card holders, often involving tasks like building rural infrastructure and conserving water resources.
7. Getting Paid: Wages are directly transferred to your bank or post office account. The amount depends on the type of work you do.
MGNREGA in Odisha
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is a government of India program that guarantees 100 days of employment per year to rural households in need. The program is implemented in all 640 districts of India, including Odisha.
In Odisha, MGNREGA is implemented by the Department of Rural Development. The program has been a major success in the state, providing employment to millions of rural workers and helping to improve their livelihoods.
Key statistics
- As of March 2023, there are over 22.5 million Job Cards in Odisha, covering over 10.2 million households.
- In the financial year 2022-23, MGNREGA generated over 140 crore person-days of employment in Odisha.
- The average daily wage under MGNREGA in Odisha is Rs. 226.
Works under MGNREGA
Under MGNREGA, workers are employed in a variety of works, including:
- Construction of roads, bridges, and other infrastructure
- Water conservation and irrigation
- Afforestation and watershed management
- Rural housing
- Other social and economic infrastructure
The following are some of the features of the Job Card in Odisha:
- The Job Card is proof of entitlement to employment under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
- The Job Card contains information about the holder, including their name, address, social category, and the works that they are eligible to perform under the MGNREGA.
- The Job Card is used to track the work that the holder has performed under the MGNREGA. The Gram Panchayat will record the number of days that the holder has worked on each project. This information is used to calculate the holder’s wages.
- The Job Card is also used to ensure that holders are paid the correct wages. The Gram Panchayat will issue a payment order based on the information recorded in the Job Card.
- The Job Card is a valuable document for rural workers in Odisha. It provides them with a guaranteed source of income and helps to improve their livelihoods.
Applying for Work under MGNREGA
To apply for work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA):
- Obtain a Job Card: A Job Card is a proof of entitlement to employment under MGNREGA. If you do not have a Job Card, you can apply for one at your Gram Panchayat.
- Submit a Demand for Work: Once you have a Job Card, you can submit a Demand for Work to your Gram Panchayat. The Demand for Work is a form in which you specify the type of work you are willing to do and the number of days you are available to work.
- Wait for the Gram Panchayat to Allocate Work: The Gram Panchayat will allocate work to Job Card holders based on the Demand for Work they have received. Once you have been allocated work, you will be issued a work order.
- Report to the Work Site: On the day that you are scheduled to work, report to the work site specified in your work order. You will be required to sign a muster roll, which is a record of your attendance.
- Complete the Work: Complete the work that you have been assigned to the best of your ability.
- Receive Payment: Once you have completed the work, you will be paid your wages. Your wages will be calculated based on the number of days that you have worked and the type of work that you have done.
Here are some additional tips for applying for work under MGNREGA:
- Submit your Demand for Work early: The Gram Panchayat will allocate work to Job Card holders on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, it is important to submit your Demand for Work as early as possible.
- Be flexible: Be willing to do different types of work. This will increase your chances of being allocated work.
- Be patient: It may take some time for the Gram Panchayat to allocate work to you. Be patient and keep checking with the Gram Panchayat for updates.
Job Portals and Websites
Job portals and websites are online platforms that connect job seekers with employers. They allow job seekers to search for open positions, create and upload resumes, and apply for Data Entry Jobs From Home. Job portals and websites also allow employers to post job openings, search for qualified candidates, and contact job seekers directly.
Some of the most popular job portals and websites include:
- Indeed
- Monster
- CareerBuilder
- Glassdoor
- ZipRecruiter
- Simply Hired
- Snag
- Craigslist Jobs
- USAjobs.gov
These websites offer a variety of features to help Data Entry Jobs From Home seekers and employers find what they are looking for. For example, job seekers can use these websites to:
- Search for jobs by keyword, location, industry, and other criteria
- Create and upload resumes
- Apply for jobs online
- Set up Data Entry Jobs From Home alerts to be notified of new job openings
- Connect with recruiters and hiring managers
Employers can use these websites to:
- Post job openings
- Search for qualified candidates
- Contact job seekers directly
- Track job applications and interviews
Conclusion
The Job Card Odisha is an important document that provides rural workers with a guaranteed source of income and helps to improve their livelihoods. It is a proof of entitlement to employment under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
To apply for work under MGNREGA, holders must submit a Demand for Work to their Gram Panchayat. Once allocated work, holders will be issued a work order and must report to the work site specified in the work order. Holders will be paid their wages based on the number of days that they have worked and the type of work that they have done.
Frequently Asked Question
The Job Card in Odisha is a document issued under MGNREGA to rural households, granting them legal entitlement to access employment opportunities and benefits provided by the program.
Any rural household willing to participate in MGNREGA can apply for a Job Card. Each adult member of the household who wishes to work can apply for their own Job Card.
To apply for a Job Card, visit your local Gram Panchayat office, provide details about your household, and express your intent to seek employment under MGNREGA.